Reports in the Daily Mirror confirm that both Tottenham and Liverpool have shown an interest in Delph, but the former have since been put off by the player’s £60,000-per-week wage demands.

Villa boss Paul Lambert wants to keep the player as he battles relegation, but now accepts that he cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer in six months time.

According to the source, Liverpool view Delph as the ideal replacement for departing captain Steven Gerrard. With Villa having signed Carles Gil from Valencia earlier this month, they are now prepared to allow the transfer to go through.

However, the Reds have missed out on England under-17’s captain Easah Suliman, who has signed a two-year professional contract with Villa. The 16-year-old had been watched by both Liverpool and Bayern Munich.